Display apparatus and method for manufacturing display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus comprises: a display panel to control emission or transmission of light to display an image; a support comprising a surface on which the display panel is placed; and a holding member that is adhered onto the surface of the support and engages with an edge of the display panel to hold the display panel at a given position of the surface, wherein the display panel has an opposite surface of a display surface of the display panel, the opposite surface being directed to the support; the holding member comprises a front surface portion formed using a light-transmitting material to cover the display surface, the front surface portion being plate shaped, and a frame portion comprising a rod-shaped member provided in such a manner as to be protruded from a first surface of the front surface portion and to be along an edge of the front surface portion, the first surface being directed to the display surface; and the front surface portion comprises a first functional layer on the first surface or on a second surface opposite the first surface, the first functional layer having a given function related to propagation of light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/311,639, having a filing/371(c) date of Jul. 22, 2019, which is aU.S. National Stage of PCT/JP2017/040312, filed Nov. 8, 2017. Priorityis claimed to each patent application set forth in this Cross-Referenceto Related Applications section, and the entire disclosure of each suchpatent application is incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display apparatus and a method formanufacturing a display apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, for flat panel display apparatuses such as organic-ELdisplay apparatuses and liquid crystal display apparatuses, displaypanels formed using a resin film or a thin glass plate as a basematerial are being used to respond to demands for thinning down. In alarge number of display apparatuses, a thin display panel in which anextremely thin material such as a resin film is used as a base materialis pasted onto a surface of an arbitrary support for imparting a shaperetaining property or a mechanical strength suitable for use thereof.For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital signage comprising animage display panel pasted to a glass plate. Patent Document 1 disclosesthat the image display panel is pasted to a window glass via a layercomprising a photocuring resin.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP 2016-97650 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

It is extremely difficult to remove, from a support, a display panelpasted to the support using an adhesive comprising a photocuring resinor a thermosetting resin as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Even if itcan be removed from the support, remaining pieces of the adhesive andremnants of the display panel or the support remain on the pastedsurface, so that reusing the display panel and the support is consideredto be difficult. Moreover, with the method of pasting that is disclosedin Patent Document 1, it is difficult to accurately paste the displaypanel onto a given position of a glass plate. Furthermore, since thedisplay panel is pasted using an adhesive such as a photocuring resin,it is also difficult to reposition a display panel once positioned at aninappropriate position to a normal position.

Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide a displayapparatus such that, even in a case where a defect occurs in some ofconstituting elements of the display apparatus, other constitutingelements can easily be reused in the one display apparatus or anotherdisplay apparatus. Moreover, another object of the present invention isto provide a method for manufacturing a display apparatus that makes itpossible to easily reuse the constituting elements as such and,moreover, to easily manufacture the display apparatus with the displaypanel being positioned at a proper position.

Means to Solve the Problem

A display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present inventioncomprises: a display panel to control emission or transmission of lightto display an image; a support comprising a surface on which the displaypanel is placed; and a holding member that is adhered onto the surfaceof the support and engages with an edge of the display panel to hold thedisplay panel at a given position of the surface, wherein the displaypanel has an opposite surface of a display surface of the display panel,the opposite surface being directed to the support; the holding membercomprises a front surface portion formed using a light-transmittingmaterial to cover the display surface, the front surface portion beingplate shaped, and a frame portion comprising a rod-shaped memberprovided in such a manner as to be protruded from a first surface of thefront surface portion and to be along an edge of the front surfaceportion, the first surface being directed to the display surface; andthe front surface portion comprises a first functional layer on thefirst surface or on a second surface opposite the first surface, thefirst functional layer having a given function related to propagation oflight.

A method for manufacturing a display apparatus according to anotherembodiment of the present invention comprises: forming a display panelby forming a plurality of display elements on a substrate; preparing asupport comprising a surface on which the display panel is to be placed;preparing a holding member comprising a front surface portion, the frontsurface portion being plate shaped, and a frame portion comprising arod-shaped member provided in such a manner as to be protruded from afirst surface of the front surface portion and to be along an edge ofthe front surface portion, the first surface being a surface other thana side surface of the front surface portion; adhering the holding memberonto the surface of the support while directing the first surface to thesupport; engaging an inner wall of the frame portion with an edge of thedisplay panel such that a display surface of the display panel iscovered by the front surface portion; and placing the display panel onthe surface of the support while directing an opposite surface of thedisplay surface to the support, wherein in preparing the holding member,the front surface portion is formed using a light-transmitting material,and a first functional layer having a given function related topropagation of light is provided on the first surface or a secondsurface of the front surface portion, the second surface being oppositethe first surface.

Effects of the Invention

According to one embodiment of the present invention, even when a defectoccurs in some of the constituting elements of one display apparatus, itis possible to easily reuse other constituting elements in the onedisplay apparatus or another display apparatus. Moreover, according toanother embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easilymanufacture a display apparatus in which reuse of constituting elementsis easy and which comprises a display panel at a proper position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a front view of one example of a display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view along a line IB-IB of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a rear view of one example of a holding member of thedisplay apparatus exemplified in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B shows a plan view of the holding member exemplified in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a partially-enlarged view of another example of theholding member exemplified in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3B shows a partially-enlarged view of yet another example of theholding member exemplified in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another example of the displayapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5A shows a front view of yet another example of the displayapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view along a line VB-VB of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows a rear view of one example of the holding member of thedisplay apparatus exemplified in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view along a line VIB-VIB of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of one example of the displayapparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8A shows a rear view of one example of the holding member of thedisplay apparatus exemplified in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B shows a plan view of the holding member exemplified in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a display panelused in the display apparatus according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a method for manufacturing of the displayapparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 11A shows an example of a method of forming first and secondfunctional layers shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 11B shows an example of a method of forming the holding membershown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 11C shows an example of the method of forming the holding membershown in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 12A shows an example of placement of the display panel in themethod for manufacturing shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12B shows an example of placement of the display panel in themethod for manufacturing shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 shows another example of the method for manufacturing of thedisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an example of engagement of the holding member and thedisplay panel in the method for manufacturing shown in FIG. 13.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present inventor conducted inventive studies on the structure thatallows reuse of a defect-free display panel or support, or otherdefect-free constituting elements when a defect occurs in someconstituting elements of a display apparatus having the display panelfixed to a surface of the support. Then, the present inventor has foundthat a structure in which the display panel is fixed to the support viaa member which can hold the display panel at a given position of thesupport can be used to appropriately fix the display panel onto thesurface of the support and that the display panel can be removed easilyfrom the support as needed. In other words, the display panel engageswith a holding member formed to hold the display panel on the support,without the display panel being adhered onto the support, and theabove-mentioned holding member is adhered to the support. The movementof the display panel relative to the support is restricted by theholding member, so that the display panel can be fixed onto a givenposition of the surface of the support. Then, when the display panel isto be removed from the support, the holding member and the display panelthat are merely engaged with each other without being adhered to eachother can be separated to easily remove the display panel from thesupport.

Moreover, the present inventor has newly found that it becomes possibleto reuse a further defect-free constituting element by providing such aholding member with a portion which covers a display surface of thedisplay panel. In other words, a polarizing plate or an antireflectionlayer that is provided at the display surface of the display panel toserve a specific function, in the past, was discarded with the displaypanel when a defect occurred in the display panel. It is considered thatthe polarizing plate, which has a structure far simpler than that of thedisplay panel and deterioration of electrical characteristics of whichis not likely to occur, is being discarded for the defect that occurredin the display panel. On the other hand, when the holding membercomprises a portion covering a display surface of the display panel, alayer which serves a specific function such as a polarizing plate can beprovided at such a portion. Then, when the defect occurs in the displaypanel, as described above, the display panel and the holding member canbe separated and a functional layer such as the polarizing plate can bereused for another display panel, together with the holding member. Inthis way, the present inventor has newly found that by providing theholding member that holds the display panel on the support with aspecific functional layer that is arranged on the display panel in aconventional display apparatus, it is possible to reuse even such afunctional layer in addition to the support when it is necessary toreplace the display panel, for example.

Next, a display apparatus and a method for manufacturing a displayapparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. Materials, shapes of theconstituting elements, and their relative positions or the likeaccording to the below-described embodiments are merely examples. Thedisplay apparatus and the method for manufacturing the display apparatusaccording to the present invention are not to be construed to be limitedthereto.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1A shows a front view of a display apparatus 1 according toEmbodiment 1. FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view along a line IB-IB ofFIG. 1A. The display apparatus 1 comprises: a display panel 3 to controlemission or transmittance of light to display an image; a support 5comprising a surface 5 a on which the display panel 3 has been placed;and a holding member 4 that is adhered onto the surface 5 a of thesupport 5 and engages with an edge of the display panel 3 to hold thedisplay panel 3 at a given position on the surface 5 a of the support 5.The display panel 3 has an opposite surface 3 b of a display surface 3a. The opposite surface 3 b is directed to the support 5. The displayapparatus 1 further comprises a wiring 9 connected to the display panel3. In FIG. 1B and each of the cross-sectional views referred to in theexplanations below, each constituting element is depicted such that itis highlighted as needed in the thickness direction of the display panel3 for ease of viewing.

FIG. 2A shows a rear view (a rear view when the surface shown in FIG. 1Ais made to be a front surface of the holding member 4) of the holdingmember 4 that is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, while FIG. 2B shows a planview (a view of the holding member 4 from the above in FIG. 2A). Theholding member 4 comprises a plate-shaped front surface portion 41 thatis formed using a light-transmitting material to cover a display surface3 a (see FIG. 1B) of the display panel 3; and a frame portion 42 thatcomprises a rod-shaped member that is protruded from a first surface 41a of the front surface portion 41 and provided along an edge of thefront surface portion 41. The first surface 41 a is directed to thedisplay surface 3 a of the display panel 3. Then, the front surfaceportion 41 comprises a first functional layer 61 on a first surface 41 aor on a second surface 41 b that is opposite the first surface 41 a. Thefirst functional layer 61 has a given function related to propagation oflight. In the examples in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the holding member 4comprises the first functional layer 61 on the first surface 41 a and asecond functional layer 62 on the second surface 41 b. The secondfunctional layer 62 has a given function related to propagation oflight. The second functional layer 62 preferably has a functiondifferent from a function that the first functional layer has. Thesecond functional layer 62 does not have to be provided, in which casethe first functional layer 61 can be provided at either of the firstsurface 41 a and the second surface 41 b.

Here, “function” in “has a given function related to propagation oflight” can be a function among various functions. For example, afunction of a polarizing plate in which only a polarization which has aparticular regularity on the direction of vibrations of the electric andmagnetic fields (a linear polarization, a circular polarization, or anelliptical polarization) is transmitted, a function of antireflectionthat suppresses reflection of light, a function of selective reflectionthat reflects light of a specific wavelength, a function of selectiveabsorption that absorbs light of a specific wavelength, and a functionof selective transmission that only transmits light of a specificwavelength can be exemplified. The first functional layer 61 and thesecond functional layer 62 (and the below-described third functionallayer) can have any of the functions exemplified herein, and can havearbitrary functions other than those exemplified herein, that arerelated to propagation of light. Moreover, each functional layer canhave functions which directly act in relation to propagation of light(optical functions) or functions which indirectly act in relation topropagation of light.

Here, “directly” in “functions which directly act in relation topropagation of light” means modes of action in which transmission,reflection, or absorption of light such as the previously-describedfunction of the polarizing plate and each of functions ofantireflection, selective reflection, selective absorption, andselective transmission is caused on the propagation of light by eachfunctional layer. Moreover, “indirectly” in “functions which indirectlyact in relation to propagation of light” means modes of action viasuppression or enhancement of materials that can act in relation topropagation of light. For example, as the “functions which indirectlyact in relation to propagation of light”, a function to suppressadhering or generating of dust, dirt, or flaw that can unintentionallycause reflection or absorption of light in the front surface portion 41of the holding member 4 can be exemplified. Therefore, such a functioncan be an antistatic function, an antifouling function, a surfaceprotecting function, or other functions that indirectly act in relationto propagation of light.

As the display panel 3, an organic-EL display panel or a liquid crystaldisplay panel is exemplified. However, the display panel 3 is notconstrued to be limited thereto. The display panel 3 exemplified inFIGS. 1A and 1B has a rectangular shape in the display surface 3 a and,at two short sides and a lower side of two long sides of the rectangularshape, abuts the holding member at the side surface and the displaysurface 3 a. Therefore, the display panel 3 is restricted by the holdingmember 4 with respect to the movement along the long-side direction andwith respect to the movement in the orientation of the arrow Y drawnfrom an upper side to a lower side in parallel with a short-sidedirection of the display panel 3 in FIG. 1A. The holding member 4 isadhered to the support 5 using an adhesive 8. Moreover, the movement ofthe display panel 3 in an orientation opposite the orientation of thearrow Y is restricted by gravity when the display apparatus 1 isarranged such that the lower side of the display panel 3 in FIG. 1A islocated below the upper side of the display panel 3 in FIG. 1A in thevertical direction. As a result, the display panel 3 can be fixed at agiven position on the surface 5 a of the support 5.

On the other hand, the display panel 3 itself is not adhered onto thesupport 5. Therefore, at the time of normal use of the display apparatus1, the display panel 3 can be held on the support 5 and can be easilyremoved from the support 5 as needed. For example, the display panel 3can be moved to outside the holding member 4 in an orientation oppositethe orientation of the arrow Y shown in FIG. 1A to remove the displaypanel 3 from the support 5. Therefore, when a defect occurs in eitherone of the support 5 and the display panel 3, a defect-free support 5 ordisplay panel 3 can be reused.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the holding member 4comprises at least the first functional layer 61 on the first surface 41a or the second surface 41 b of the front surface portion 41. In theexamples in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first functional layer 61 is arrangedon the first surface 41 a, while the second functional layer 62 isarranged on the second surface 41 b. As described above, the firstfunctional layer 61 and the second functional layer 62 can have variousfunctions. For example, the first functional layer 61 or the secondfunctional layer 62 can comprise an antireflection layer configured toprevent reflection of light or a polarizing plate. For example, alinearly polarizing plate provided in an opposing substrate positionedto oppose a TFT (thin-film transistor) substrate on which a drivetransistor is formed in a conventional liquid crystal display panel canbe provided at the holding member 4 as the first functional layer 61.Alternatively, a circularly polarizing plate arranged on alight-emitting surface of the organic-EL display panel can be providedas the first functional layer 61. In this way, arrangement of at leastone polarizing plate at the display panel 3 can be omitted. Then, when adefect occurs in the display panel 3, a linearly polarizing plateprovided as the first functional layer 61 can be reused in anotherdisplay panel, together with the holding member 4 and the secondfunctional layer 62.

When the first functional layer 61 comprises the polarizing plate, thesecond functional layer 62 can be an antireflection layer configured tosuppress reflection of light. For example, an antireflection film thatis formed on the display surface of a conventional organic-EL displaypanel to prevent visibility from lowering due to reflection of light canbe provided at the holding member 4 as the second functional layer 62.In this way, forming of the antireflection film at the display panel 3can be omitted. Then, when a defect occurs in the display panel 3, theantireflection film provided as the second functional layer 62 can bereused for another display panel, together with the holding member 4 andthe first functional layer 61. As described above, only the firstfunctional layer 61 can be provided in the holding member 4. In thiscase, the first functional layer 61 that comprises the antireflectionlayer can be provided on the second surface 41 b of the front surfaceportion 41.

When the polarizing plate is provided as the first functional layer 61or the second functional layer 62, a commercially-available polarizingplate can be adhered to the front surface portion 41. For example, alinear polarizing plate comprising a structure in which a layerconsisting predominantly of polyvinyl alcohol with an iodine compoundadsorbed and aligned is sandwiched between two cellulose triacetatefilms is adhered to the front surface portion 41. Moreover, a circularlypolarizing plate in which a ¼ retardation plate formed by polycarbonateis laminated on such a linearly polarizing plate can be adhered to thefront surface portion 41. The polarizing plate provided as the firstfunctional layer 61 or the second functional layer 62 is preferablyprovided on the first surface 41 a of the holding layer 62.

When the first functional layer 61 or the second functional layer 62 isan antireflection layer, such an antireflection layer is formed using,for example, a dielectric material having a refractive index n, which islower than a refractive index of a material forming the front surfaceportion 41 of the holding member 4. Then, each of the functional layers61 and 62 is formed with a thickness such that light reflecting on eachof front and back surfaces of each of the functional layers 61 and 62weaken each other by interference. As a thickness d of one layer formedby a dielectric material, a thickness is selected such that arelationship (length L (=n×d)=(¼)×λ) is satisfied. The length L is anoptical path length of light in the one layer (for example, light havinga wavelength λ) within the visible light range. The first functionallayer 61 and the second functional layer 62, when they areantireflection layers, can comprise a multi-layer structure including aplurality of layers formed of a dielectric material. In this way,reflection of lights in a wide wavelength range can be suppressedefficiently. The antireflection layer provided as the first functionallayer 61 or the second functional layer 62 is preferably provided on thesecond surface 41 b of the holding member 4.

When the first functional layer 61 or the second functional layer 62 hasa selective reflection function, for example, a function reflectinginfrared rays as described above, each functional layer comprises amulti-layer structure in which materials having mutually differentrefractive indices are alternately laminated, for example. Each of thelayers formed by materials having mutually different refractive indices,for example, titanium oxide (TiO₂) and silicon dioxide (SiO₂), or zincsulfide (ZnS) and magnesium fluoride (MgF₂) is formed with a thicknesssuch that reflecting lights of the infrared region on the interface ofeach layer enhance each other. The infrared rays are reflected, makingit possible to suppress an increase in temperature of the display panel3 and, thus, making it possible to alleviate degradation ofcharacteristics and deterioration in quality of the display panel 3. Afilm having a function of selective reflection relative to infrared raysand provided as the first functional layer 61 or the second functionallayer 62 is preferably provided on the second surface 41 b of theholding member 4.

Moreover, when the first functional layer 61 or the second functionallayer 62 has an ultraviolet-ray absorbing function as thepreviously-described selective absorption function, each functionallayer is formed by a resin having an ultraviolet-ray absorbing agentadded, such as a polycarbonate resin or an acrylic resin. As theultraviolet-ray absorbing agents, a benzophenone derivative, asalicylate ester derivative, a triazole derivative, an acrylicderivative, or the like are exemplified. Ultraviolet rays can beabsorbed to alleviate stress onto organic elements due to theultraviolet rays when the display panel 3 is an organic-EL displaypanel. Moreover, the first functional layer 61 or the second functionallayer 62 that has the previously-described selective transmissionfunction can be formed by combining a layer having the selectiveabsorption function and a layer having the selective reflection functionas described above.

Material and shape of the support 5 are construed to be not limited aslong as it can appropriately support the display panel 3. The support 5can be formed using an arbitrary material such as glass, a metal, or asynthetic resin. Moreover, the support 5 can be a glass plate used for acasing of various devices, a window pane of a residence, a show window,or a display case. Moreover, the support 5 can be a windshield of anautomobile, in which case the surface 5 a is preferably a surface of thewindshield that is directed to a vehicular compartment.

A wiring 9 is provided at the display apparatus 1 to connect the displaypanel 3 and a display driver (not shown) that supplies a drive signal tothe display panel 3. The wiring 9 is connected to a connecting pad (notshown) provided on the display surface 3 a at one end of the wiring 9using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,a portion connecting the wiring 9 and the display panel 3 is housed in aspace surrounded by the holding member 4 and the support 3 and iscovered by the front surface portion 41 of the holding member 4. Thewiring 9 is drawn to the outside of the holding member 4 via adiscontinuous portion of the frame portion 42 of the holding member 4.While a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) can be exemplified as thewiring 9, an arbitrary wiring member can be used as the wiring 9.

The adhesive 8 is not construed to be limited as long as it has anadhesive strength with which the holding member 4 can be stably joinedto the support 5. An arbitrary epoxy adhesive or acrylic adhesive can beused for the adhesive 8. For example, an arbitrary adhesive such as anacrylic, silicone, or urethane adhesive, known as an optical clearadhesive (OCA) or an optical clear resin (OCR), can be used for theadhesive 8.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the holding member 4 comprises thefront surface portion 41 that has a substantially rectangular frontshape and that has the first surface 41 a and the second surface 41 b;and the frame portion 42 that is protruded from the first surface 41 aat an edge of the front surface portion 41. In the example of FIGS. 2Aand 2B, the front surface portion and the frame portion 42 areintegrally formed. However, the front surface portion 41 and the frameportion 42 can be separately formed and then connected to each other(see FIG. 11B). In the example shown in, for example, FIG. 2A, the frameportion 42 is formed along each of both short sides and a lower sidethat is one of long sides of the substantially-rectangular front surfaceportion 41. Then, the frame portion 42 comprises a discontinuous portionat a portion of an edge of the front surface portion 41 (an upper sideof the surface portion 41 in FIG. 2). As a result, as shown in FIG. 2B,a notch 42 a is formed on a side surface (which is drawn at the front inFIG. 2B), of the holding member 4, that formed of the frame portion 42.The notch 42 a is formed with a size such that the display panel 3 canbe inserted therethrough. Providing the notch 42 a of such a size makesit possible to remove the display panel 3 from the support 5 as neededwhile adhering the holding member 4 to the support 5.

The first surface 41 a of the front surface portion 41 of the holdingmember 4 abuts the display surface 3 a of the display panel 3 at theimmediate inside of the frame portion 42. Moreover, the further insideof an abutting portion 411 that abuts the display panel 3 in the firstsurface 41 a is concave toward the second surface 41 b rather than theabutting portion 411. The first functional layer 61 is provided at thisconcave portion 412. The display surface 3 a of the display panel 3 ispreferably in contact with, for example, the first functional layer 61that can be provided on the first surface 41 a of the holding member 4.This is because, if there is a gap between the display surface and thefunctional layer, reflection of external light occurs, or transmittanceof light from the display panel 3 thereby decreases to cause a decreasein visibility. Therefore, the depth of the concave portion 412 isselected such that a surface of the first functional layer 61 that isdirected to the display panel 3 and the abutting portion 411 of thefirst surface 41 a of the holding member 4 are substantially on the sameplane. When there is a gap between the display surface 3 a of thedisplay panel 3 and the first functional layer 61 that can be providedon the first surface 41 a, the gap is preferably filled with a fillingmaterial having substantially the same refractive index as therefractive index of the first functional layer 61.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show variations of the shape of an inner wall of theframe portion 42 of the holding member 4 that are exemplified in FIGS.2A and 2B. FIGS. 3A and 3B show enlarged views of a portioncorresponding to a portion surrounded by a chain line in FIG. 2B. In theexample shown in FIG. 3A, a groove 4 a is formed at the inner wall ofthe frame portion 42. An edge of the display panel 3 is inserted intothe groove 4 a, and the opposite surface 3 b of the display surface ofthe display panel 3 also abuts the holding member 4 at the edge of thedisplay panel 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the result ofcontact between the display panel 3 and the first functional layer 61provided on the first surface 41 a of the holding member 4 from beinginfluenced by variations in the thickness of the adhesive 8 (see FIG.1B).

However, as shown in FIG. 3B, the holding member 4 does not have tocomprise the groove 4 a as shown in FIG. 3A in the inner wall of theframe portion 42, and, moreover, does not have to comprise the abuttingportion 411 that abuts the display panel 3 at the first surface 41 a asshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In other words, the first surface 41 a doesnot necessarily need to comprise the concave portion 412 as shown inFIG. 2B. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the movement in which thedisplay panel 3 separates from the support 5 (see FIG. 1B) can berestricted by abutting the first functional layer 61 or by friction withthe inner wall of the frame portion 42.

At the front surface portion 41 of the holding member 4, at least aportion covering an image displayed on the display panel 3 is formedusing a light-transmitting material. For example, the front surfaceportion 41 is formed using glass, or a transparent silicone rubberhaving flexibility. Using the transparent silicone rubber makes itpossible to adhere the holding member 4 to the support 5 without causingexcessive stress on the front surface portion 41 even when the surface 5a of the support 5 is a curved surface such as the surface of awindshield of an automobile. Except for the portion covering the imageof the display panel 3, the holding member 4 can be formed of anarbitrary material. For example, a synthetic resin such as an epoxyresin or a commodity plastic, a natural resin such as a natural rubber,or a rubber sponge can be used as a material for the holding member 4.However, the holding member 4 is preferably formed of a material havingflexibility as well as elasticity not only for the previously-describedfront surface portion 41 but for the whole holding member 4. Moreover,the holding member 4 can be formed using a light-transmitting materialsuch as the previously-described transparent silicone rubber, acrylicresin, transparent PC (polycarbonate) resin, transparent PET(polyethylene terephthalate), or transparent MS (polymethacryl styrene)not only for the previously-described front surface portion 41 but forthe whole holding member 4. In this way, it can be made difficult to seethe holding member 4 for a person viewing the display apparatus 1.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the display apparatus 1 according to thepresent embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a polarizing plate 51 can beprovided on the surface 5 a of the support 5, separately from apolarizing plate that can be provided as the first functional layer 61provided at the holding member 4. For example, providing a linearlypolarizing plate on the surface 5 a of the support 5 as the polarizingplate 51 makes it possible to omit a linearly polarizing plate which maybe provided in the TFT substrate in the conventional display panel whenthe display panel 3 is a liquid-crystal display panel. In the example inFIG. 4, when a linearly polarizing plate is provided as the firstfunctional layer 61, the polarization axis of the linearly polarizingplate that is provided as the first functional layer 61 and thepolarization axis of the linearly polarizing plate that is provided asthe polarizing plate 51 can be orthogonal, or can be parallel to eachother. Moreover, the polarization axes of these linearly polarizingplates can be inclined by degrees relative to each other. When thepolarizing plate 51 is provided in the support 5, the polarizing plate51, together with the holding member 4 and the support 5, can be reusedfor another display panel when a defect occurs in the display panel 3.In addition to or instead of the polarizing plate 51, a functional layer(not shown) which has infrared ray reflective function or ultravioletray absorbing function each described above for the first functionallayer 61 can be provided. For example, when the support 5 is awindshield of an automobile, infrared rays included in sunlight can bereflected, or ultraviolet rays included therein can be absorbed toreduce stress on the display panel 3.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show yet another example of the display apparatus 1according to the present embodiment. In the examples in FIGS. 5A and 5B,the display panel 3 having a generally rectangular front shape abuts theholding member 4 at a side surface, a display surface 3 a, and anopposite surface 3 b of the display surface 3 a in any of two long sidesand two short sides of the above-mentioned rectangular shape. In otherwords, the frame portion 42 of the holding member 4 is continuous withno break at the edge of the front surface portion 41 and surrounds thewhole periphery of the display panel 3. Moreover, as with the example inFIG. 3A, the frame portion 42 has a groove 4 a at the inner wall and theedge of the display panel 3 is inserted into the groove 4 a. Therefore,the movement of the display panel 3 in an orientation separating fromthe surface 5 a and the movement of the display panel 3 in an arbitrarydirection along the surface 5 a of the support 5 can be restricted bythe holding member 4. Moreover, as described previously with referenceto FIG. 3A, the result of contact between the display panel 3 and thefirst functional layer 61 is not influenced by variations in thethickness of the adhesive 8. In the display apparatus exemplified inFIGS. 5A and 5B, a solvent or the like can be used to soften theadhesive 8 and separate the holding member 4 and the support 5 as neededto remove the holding member 4 from the support 5.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a weak adhesive layer 7 formed of an adhesive isprovided at a space between the display panel 3 and the support 5, whichspace can be produced using the holding member 4 comprising a groove 4a. The weak adhesive layer 7 ensures that the display panel 3 and thesupport 5 tightly adhere to each other. Therefore, lifting of thedisplay panel 3 during use of the display apparatus 1 or an entrainmentof air bubble into the interface between the display panel 3 and thesupport can be prevented. “Weak adhesion” refers to the adhesion to anextent enough to adhere to an adhesion object tightly and yet to bereleased easily from the adhesion object when subjected to a force in areleasing orientation without causing any damage to the adhesion objector leaving any glue on the adhesion surface. A weak adhesion layer 7 isformed of an adhesive containing an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, oran urethane resin as a single substance or containing a combination of aplurality thereof as a main component, for example.

Moreover, in the examples in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the holding member 4engages with the edge of the display panel 3 along the whole peripheryof the display panel 3, so that the wiring 9 connected to the displaysurface 3 a is drawn to the outside of the holding member 4 via anaperture 4 b formed at the front surface portion 41 of the holdingmember 4. The aperture 4 b is provided at a position corresponding to aportion at which the wiring 9 is joined to the display panel 3 and hasan elliptical front shape.

FIG. 6A shows a rear view (a rear view with the surface shown in FIG. 5Aas the front of the holding member 4) of the holding member 4 shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, while FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view along a lineVIB-VIB of FIG. 6A. The aperture 4 b is formed in the vicinity of onelong side of the holding member 4 having a generally rectangular frontshape. The aperture 4 b is formed such that a direction along the onelong side corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the aperture 4 b.The aperture 4 b is preferably not formed at a portion of the frontsurface portion 41 that covers an image displayed at the display panel 3(see FIG. 5B). Therefore, the first functional layer 61 and the secondfunctional layer 62 can be provided at the portion which covers theimage displayed at the display panel 3. Moreover, a groove 4 a is formedat the inner wall of the frame portion 42 over the whole periphery ofthe frame portion 42. Except for the frame portion 42 being formed atthe holding member 4 over the whole periphery thereof, the aperture 4 bbeing formed at the front surface portion 41 and the weak adhesion layer7 being provided in between the support 5 and the display panel 3, thedisplay apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is the same as the displayapparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Repetitive explanations forconfigurations which are the same as those of the examples in FIGS. 1Aand 1B will be omitted.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus 1 a accordingto Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 shows a cross section corresponding to the crosssection shown in FIG. 1B for the display apparatus 1 according to thepreviously-described Embodiment 1 for the display apparatus 1 aaccording to Embodiment 2. Moreover, FIG. 8A shows a rear view (a rearview with a surface directed to the support 5 in FIG. 7) of a holdingmember 40 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8B shows a plan view (a view in whichthe holding member 40 is viewed from above in FIG. 8A) of the holdingmember 40. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B, the holding member 40comprises a front surface portion 41 and a frame portion 42 in the samemanner as the holding member 4 used in the previously-describedEmbodiment 1 and further comprises a plate-shaped back surface portion43. The back surface portion 43 is connected to the front surfaceportion 41 via the frame portion 42 so as to be spaced from and face thefirst surface 41 a of the first surface portion 41. The holding member40 has the back surface portion 43 adhered onto the surface 5 a of thesupport 5. In the example of FIG. 7, the whole surface of the holdingmember 40 that is directed to the support 5 is adhered onto the surface5 a of the support 5 using the adhesive 8. The display panel 3 ispositioned between the front surface portion 41 and the back surfaceportion 43 of the holding member 40. The display apparatus 1 a accordingto Embodiment 2 is the same as display apparatus 1 according toEmbodiment 1 that is exemplified in FIGS. 1A and 1B except that theholding member 40 comprises the back surface portion 43. Therefore, forthe constituting elements that are the same as those of the displayapparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals asthose given to FIG. 1A or the like are given to FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B, andrepetitive explanations will be omitted.

In the example of FIG. 7, the back surface portion 43 comprises a thirdfunctional layer 63 having a given function related to propagation oflight on a third surface 43 c facing the first surface 41 a of the frontsurface portion 41. Unlike the example of FIG. 7, the back surfaceportion 43 can comprise the third functional layer 63 on a surface (afourth surface) 43 d that is opposite the third surface 43 c. The givenfunction that the third functional layer 63 has is exemplified by eachof the functions exemplified for the previously-described firstfunctional layer 61 and second functional layer 62. For example, theback surface portion 43 can comprise a polarizing plate as the thirdfunctional layer 63 on the third surface 43 c. When the third functionallayer 63 is a linearly polarizing plate, for example, a linearpolarizing plate conventionally provided at a TFT substrate can beomitted in a liquid-crystal panel placed as the display panel 3 on thesurface 5 a of the support 5. In the example of FIG. 7, when thelinearly polarizing plate is provided as the first functional layer 61,the polarization axis of the linearly polarizing plate provided as thefirst functional layer 61 and the polarization axis of the linearlypolarizing plate provided as the third functional layer 63 can beorthogonal, or can be parallel. Moreover, the polarization axes of eachof the linearly polarizing plates can be inclined relative to each otherby degrees. The third functional layer 63 can have thepreviously-described selective reflection function or selectiveabsorption function and can have the same structure as that of the firstfunctional layer 61 having the same function. When a layer having aselective reflection function or selective absorption function, or apolarizing plate is provided, the polarizing plate or the like that isprovided as the third functional layer 63, together with the holdingmember 40 and the support 5, can be reused for another display panelwhen a defect occurs in the display panel 3.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the back surface portion 43 is positionedto face the first surface 41 a of the front surface portion 41 and isconnected to the front surface position 41 via the frame portion 42. Aswith the frame portion 42 of the holding member 4 that is exemplified inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the frame portion 42 comprises a discontinuous portionat a portion (an upper side of the back surface portion 43 in FIG. 8A)of an edge of each of the front surface portion 41 and the back surfaceportion 43. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, an aperture 42 b is formedon a side surface (which is drawn at the front in FIG. 8B), of theholding member 40, that formed of the frame portion 42. Preferably, theaperture 42 b through which the display panel 3 can be inserted isformed. Providing the aperture 42 b of such a size makes it possible toremove the display panel 3 from the support as needed while the holdingmember 40 is adhered to the support 5.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the third surface 43 c of theback surface portion 43 comprises an abutting portion 431 that abuts thedisplay panel 3 (see FIG. 7) immediately inside the frame portion 42 anda concave portion 432 further inside the abutting portion 431. Theconcave portion 432 is concave toward a fourth surface 43 d rather thanthe abutting portion 431. Then, the third functional layer 63 isprovided at the concave portion 432. Preferably, the depth of theconcave portion 432 is adjusted such that a surface of the thirdfunctional layer 3 that is directed toward the display panel 3 and theabutting portion 431 of the third surface 43 c are substantially on thesame plane. However, the concave portion 432 is not necessarilyprovided. A groove 4 c is formed inside the side surface of the holdingmember 40. An edge of the display panel 3 is inserted into the groove 4c. While the first functional layer 61 and the second functional layer62 are provided on the front surface portion 41 in the example in FIGS.8A and 8B, at least the first functional layer 61 is provided on thefirst surface 41 a or the second surface 41 b. The back surface portion43 is formed using the same material as either or both of the frameportion 42 and the front surface portion 41. The back surface portion 43can be formed using a light-transmitting material. Moreover, the backsurface portion 43 can be integrally formed with the front surfaceportion 41 and the frame portion 42, or it can be formed separatelytherefrom and connected thereto later.

A fourth functional layer 64 having a given function related topropagation of light can be provided at the back surface portion 43 ofthe holding member 40 as shown with a chain double-dashed line in FIG.8B in addition to the third functional layer 63. The fourth functionallayer 64 is provided on a surface, of the back surface portion 43,opposite a surface (the third surface 43 c or the fourth surface 43 d)on which the third functional layer 63 is provided. As in the example inFIGS. 7 and 8B, when a polarizing plate is provided as a thirdfunctional layer 63 on the third surface 43 c, the fourth functionallayer 64 having infrared ray reflection function or ultraviolet rayabsorption function, for example, can be provided on the fourth surface43 d. As described previously, since the back surface portion 43 of theholding member 40 is adhered to the support 5, the fourth surface 43 dis directed to the support 5. When the support 5 is a windshield of anautomobile, for example, stress on the display panel 3 due to infraredor ultraviolet rays included in sunlight can be reduced.

[Display Panel]

FIG. 9 shows an example of a cross-sectional structure of an organic-ELdisplay panel used as the display panel 3 according to each of thepreviously-described embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, the display panel3 comprises a substrate 3 c and a plurality of display elements 30formed on the substrate 3 c. The substrate 3 c is a glass plate, or aresin film formed using a polyimide resin, for example. When the displaypanel 3 is a transparent organic-EL display panel having flexibility, atransparent polyimide resin, for example, is used as a material for thesubstrate 3 c. Each of the display elements 30 comprises: a TFT 31; afirst electrode 33 connected to the TFT 31; an organic layer 34 that isformed by an organic material deposited on the first electrode 33 toemit light; and a second electrode 35 formed on the organic layer 34.Each of the display elements 30 is separated by a bank 36 formed usingSiO₂ or the like. The first electrode 33 and the bank 36 are formed on aflattening layer 32 covering the TFT 31.

The TFT 31 can be formed using polycrystalline silicon or the like, forexample, and a transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor such as anindium-gallium-zinc oxide can be used for a channel layer thereof.Moreover, the TFT 31 can be formed using an organic semiconductormaterial. The first electrode 33 is formed by a light-transmittingconductive material such as an ITO film, for example. The organic layer34, which is shown as one layer in FIG. 9, can be actually formed tohave a multilayered structure that includes a hole-transport layer, alight-emitting layer, an electron-transport layer or the like. Thehole-transport layer is formed with an amine material, for example, thelight-emitting layer is formed using a material prepared by doping ahost material such as Alq₃ or BAlq with a dopant in accordance with thecolor of light emitted, for example, and the electron-transport layer isformed with Alq₃ or the like, for example. The organic layer 34 canfurther include a hole-injection layer and an electron-injection layer(not shown). The second electrode 35 is formed with a metal having asmall work function, such as an Mg—Ag alloy layer or aluminum, forexample. The cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 9 is construed tobe merely exemplary, and structures of the organic-EL display panel thatmakes up the display panel 3 and materials of each of the constitutingelements are construed to be not limited to the structures and materialsdescribed herein.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the display panel 3 further comprises abarrier layer formed, using a moisture impermeable material, between thedisplay element 30 and the substrate 3 c, and on the display element 30.A first barrier layer 37 is formed between the display element 30 andthe substrate 3 c and a second barrier layer 38 is formed on the displayelement 30. Specifically, the first barrier layer 37 is formed betweenthe TFT 31 and the substrate 3 c. A water vapor transmission rate of thefirst barrier layer 37 and the second barrier layer 38 is 1×10⁻⁴g/m²/day or less, for example. In this way, the first barrier layer 37and the second barrier layer 38 are provided to protect the organiclayer 34 that is likely to deteriorate with a contact with moisture.Moreover, such penetration of moisture as to reach the interface betweenthe display panel 3 and the support 5 (see FIG. 1B) through the displaypanel 3 is strictly prevented. For example, in a case where the displaypanel 3 is a transparent organic-EL display panel, when partial liftingof the display panel 3 occurs at the interface between the display panel3 and the support 5 due to penetration of moisture, color unevenness mayoccur in an image seen by a person viewing the display panel 3. However,it is possible to prevent such detrimental effects on the image byproviding the first barrier layer 37 and the second barrier layer 38 asshown in FIG. 9. Unlike the example in FIG. 9, the display panel 3 cancomprise either one of the barrier films 37 and 38 only between thedisplay element and the substrate 3 c or only on the display element 30.

In the example in FIG. 9, the first barrier layer is a multilayeredlayer comprising silicon nitride layers 37 a and a silicon oxide layer37 b. The silicon oxide layer 37 b is sandwiched between two siliconnitride layers 37 a. The first barrier layer 37 can be made as such amultilayered layer to obtain a barrier layer which has high barrierperformance and in which a crack is unlikely to occur. However, thefirst barrier layer 37 can be a single-layer, or can be a multilayeredlayer including a plurality of layers other than three layers, or can beformed using a material other than silicon nitride and silicon oxide.

Moreover, in the example in FIG. 9, the second barrier layer 38 has afive-layer structure including two silicon nitride layers 38 a, twosilicon oxide layers 38 b, and an organic layer 38 c. The organic layer38 c is formed using an epoxy resin or acrylic resin, for example.Unevenness of the surface of the display element 30 and undesiredparticles (not shown) adhered to the surface of the display element 30can be embedded in the organic layer 38 c that can have flexibility, sothat the silicon nitride films 38 a or the like can be stably formed onthe organic layer 38 c. Moreover, by interposing the silicon oxide layer38 b, the adhesion strength between the silicon nitride films 38 a andthe organic layer 38 c can be improved. However, the silicon oxide layer38 b and the organic layer 38 c are not necessarily formed, a siliconnitride oxide layer having a high film-forming rate can be providedinstead of the silicon nitride layer 38 a, and the second barrier layer38 can be a single-layer, or can be a multilayered layer including aplurality of layers other than five layers.

In each of the previously-described embodiments, a circularly polarizingplate or an antireflection layer that may be provided on a plurality ofdisplay elements of the conventional organic-EL display panels can bereplaced with the first functional layer 61 or the second functionallayer 62 (see FIG. 2B) that is provided at the front surface portion 41of the holding member 4. Moreover, an infrared ray reflective layer oran ultraviolet ray absorbing layer that may be provided on an uppersurface of the substrate on which the TFT is formed (a surface on whichthe display element is provided) and/or a lower surface (a surfacedirected in an orientation opposite the display element) can be replacedwith the third functional layer 63 or the fourth functional layer 64(see FIG. 8B) provided at the back surface portion 43 of the holdingmember 40.

Although not shown, when the display panel 3 is a liquid-crystal displaypanel, the display panel 3 comprises a first substrate (apreviously-described TFT substrate) formed using a glass plate or thelike, a second substrate (a previously-described opposing substrate)having flexibility and positioned to be spaced from the first substrate,and a liquid-crystal layer between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate. Moreover, the display panel 3 comprises a TFT formed on thefirst substrate, a pixel electrode connected to the TFT, and a firstalignment film formed on the pixel electrode. Furthermore, the displaypanel 3 comprises a color filter, a common electrode, and a secondalignment film that are provided in order on a surface of the secondsubstrate that is directed to the first substrate. On each of therespective surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate,which are opposite to a surface facing the liquid-crystal layer, apolarizing plate is provided. These polarizing plates can be replacedwith a polarizing plate that can be provided as the first functionallayer 61 or the third functional layer 63 of the holding member 4 (seeFIG. 2B) or the holding member 40 (see FIG. 8B). The structure of theliquid-crystal display panels that can compose the display panel 3 ofthe display apparatus 1 or 1 a according to each of thepreviously-described embodiments is construed to be not limited to thestructures described herein.

[Method for Manufacturing]

Next, a method for manufacturing display apparatus according toEmbodiment 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10shows an overview of the method for manufacturing the display apparatusaccording to the present embodiment with the display apparatus 1 as anexample which is shown in FIG. 1 referred to in the previously-describedexplanations. As shown in FIG. 10, the method for manufacturing thedisplay apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises: formingthe display panel 3 by forming the plurality of display elements 30 (seeFIG. 9) on the substrate 3 c; preparing the support 5 comprising thesurface 5 a on which the display panel 3 is to be placed; and preparingthe holding member 4 comprising the plate-shaped front surface portion41 and the frame portion 42 comprising the rod-shaped member providedalong an edge of the front surface portion 41. Moreover, the method formanufacturing the display apparatus according to the present embodimentcomprises: adhering the holding member 4 onto the surface 5 a of thesupport while directing the first surface 41 a of the front surfaceportion 41 to the support 5; engaging an inner wall of the frame portion42 of the holding member 4 with an edge of the display panel 3 such thatthe display surface 3 a of the display panel 3 is covered by the frontsurface portion 41; and placing the display panel 3 on the surface 5 aof the support 5 while directing the opposite surface 3 b of the displaysurface 3 a to the support 5. Then, the method for manufacturing thedisplay apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises, in thepreparing of the holding member 4, forming the front surface portion 41using a light-transmitting material; and providing the first functionallayer 61 having a given function related to propagation of light on thefirst surface 41 a or a second surface 41 b of the front surface portion41, which is opposite the first surface 41 a (see FIGS. 11A and 11B).Next, detailed explanations will be provided.

First, forming the display panel 3 will be explained with reference toFIG. 9 again. An organic-EL display panel or liquid-crystal displaypanel is formed as the display panel 3. When the organic-EL displaypanel is formed as the display panel 3, the organic-EL display element(display elements 30) including the TFT 31 and the organic layer 34 andthe like is formed on the substrate 3 c formed of, for example, apolyimide film or a glass plate. At this time, the first barrier layer37 is preferably formed between the substrate 3 c and the displayelements 30 using a moisture impermeable material. The moistureimpermeable material can include silicon nitride and silicon oxide. Inthe example in FIG. 9, three layers (the silicon oxide layer 37 b, andeach of silicon nitride layers 37 a at upper and lower sides of thesilicon oxide layer 37 b) are formed on the substrate 3 c to form thefirst barrier layer 37. The silicon nitride layers 37 a and the siliconoxide layer 37 b are formed using plasma-enhanced chemical vapordeposition (PECVD) or sputtering, for example.

The TFT 31, the first electrode 33, the second electrode 35, and theorganic layer 34 that compose the organic-EL display element can beformed with an arbitrary method including a well-known method, so thatdetailed explanations thereof are omitted. Moreover, when theliquid-crystal display panel is formed as the display panel 3, each ofthe electrodes, an alignment film, a polarizing plate, and aliquid-crystal layer that compose the liquid crystal display element canbe formed with an arbitrary method including a well-known method, sothat detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

After the display elements 30 are formed, the second barrier layer 38 ispreferably formed on the display elements 30 using a moistureimpermeable material. In the example in FIG. 9, a silicon nitride layer38 a, a silicon oxide layer 38 b, and an organic layer 38 c are formedin order on the display elements 30, and again the silicon oxide layer38 b and the silicon nitride layer 38 a are formed. The silicon nitridelayer 38 a and the silicon oxide layer 38 b are formed with PECVD orsputtering, for example. The organic layer 38 c is formed by printing anepoxy resin or an acrylic resin using an inkjet printer, for example.When the second barrier layer 38 is formed, only the silicon nitridelayer 38 a and the organic layer 38 c can be formed, for example. Inthis way, in the method for manufacturing the display apparatusaccording to the present embodiment, in forming the display panel 3, thebarrier layers (the first barrier layer 37 and the second barrier layer38) can be formed at either one of or both of between the substrate 3 cand the display elements 30 and on the display elements 30 using amoisture impermeable material.

FIG. 10 is referred to again. The holding member 4 is prepared byappropriately processing a material such as a synthetic resin or anatural resin. The holding member 4 is formed by machining or by moldingor press processing using an appropriately manufactured die so as tocomprise the plate-shaped front surface portion 41 and the frame portion42 comprising the rod-shaped member provided in such a manner that therod-shaped member is protruded from the first surface 41 a of the frontsurface portion 41 along the edge of the front surface portion 41. Thefirst surface 41 a of the front surface portion 41 of the holding member4 is a surface other than a side surface of the plate-shaped frontsurface portion 41, and is a surface to be directed to the display panel3 and the support 5 in the display apparatus 1. In the example in FIG.10, a discontinuous portion is provided at the frame portion 42 toprovide the notch 42 a on the side surface of the holding member 4. Forexample, a die used in forming the holding member 4 can be appropriatelymanufactured to provide the holding member 4 with the notch 42 a. Asdescribed later, the display panel 3 is moved to a given placementposition inside the frame portion 42 from outside the frame portion 42through the notch 42 a.

In preparing the holding member 4, at least a portion of the frontsurface portion 41, which covers an image displayed on the display panel3 is formed using a light-transmitting material. For example, the entireholding member 4 can be integrally formed by die molding using atransparent silicone rubber, an acrylic resin, a transparent PC resin, atransparent PET resin, a transparent MS resin, or the like.

With reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, preparing of the holding member 4is further explained. In the preparing of the holding member 4, thefirst functional layer 61 is provided as described previously. Moreover,in the preparing of the holding member 4, in addition to the firstfunctional layer 61, the second functional layer 62 having a givenfunction related to propagation of light can be provided at the frontsurface portion 41. The given function of the second functional layer 62is different from a function that the first functional layer 61 has. Thegiven function that the first functional layer 61 and the secondfunctional layer 62 includes a function as a polarizing plate, aselective reflection function, or a selective absorption function, orthe like. The second functional layer 62 is provided on a surfaceopposite a surface of the front surface portion 41 on which the firstfunctional layer 61 is provided. In other words, as show in FIG. 11A,when the first functional layer 61 is provided on the first surface 41a, the second functional layer 62 is formed on the second surface 41 b.

When the first functional layer 61 having a function as a polarizingplate or the second functional layer 62 having a function as apolarizing plate is provided, a commercially-available polarizing platecan be adhered to the front surface portion 41 of the holding member 4,for example, as with the first functional layer 61 shown in FIG. 11A.Such a polarizing plate is adhered to the holding member 4 using anoptically transparent adhesive such as the previously-described OCA orOCR, for example.

Also when the first functional layer 61 or the second functional layer62 having the previously-described antireflective function, or eachfunction of selective reflection, selective absorption, or selectivetransmission, an optical functional film having such functions isprepared to be adhered to the holding member 4. However, the opticalfunctional film that has been formed separately from the holding member4 normally includes the base material, causing the transmittance oflight to decrease and the interface of materials each having a differentrefractive index from each other to increase. Moreover, when a gap isproduced between a film formed separately and the holding member 4, theinterface further increases. Therefore, the first functional layer 61 orthe second functional layer 62 having the antireflective function ispreferably formed directly at the front surface portion 41 of theholding member 4. For example, as with the second functional layer 62shown in FIG. 11A, sputtering, which causes sputtered particles S to beadhered to the front surface portion 41 of the holding member 4, orvacuum deposition or CVD (chemical vapor deposition) is used.Preferably, a multilayered layer including the previously-describedmagnesium fluoride or the like is formed using any of these methods, sothat the first functional layer 61 or the second functional layer 62that has an optical function is formed. Moreover, the first functionallayer 61 or the second functional layer 62 that has the optical functioncan be formed by coating, drying, and heating a solution containingmaterial particles using Sol-Gel process.

Moreover, the first functional layer 61 or the second functional layer62 that has an antistatic function can be formed by sputtering atransparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indiumoxide-zinc oxide (IZO), or coating and heat curing of a solutionthereof. Moreover, the first functional layer 61 or the secondfunctional layer 62 that has an antifouling function can be formed bycoating a fluorine resin, for example. Moreover, the first functionallayer 61 or the second functional layer 62 that has a surface protectingfunction against flaw can be formed with a film containing SiO₂, forexample. The film containing SiO₂ is formed with a thickness ofapproximately 10 μm to 30 μm, for example, by CVD or coating. The filmcontaining SiO₂ can have a pencil hardness of approximately 5H by beingformed in such a manner and can have at a pencil hardness ofapproximately 6H to 8H by being baked further. Moreover, a filmcontaining SiO₂ and having a pencil hardness of over 8H with a thicknessof 5 μm can be formed as the first functional layer 61 or the secondfunctional layer 62 by sputtering or vacuum deposition.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the front surface portion 41 and the frame portion42 of the holding member 4 can be formed separately by, for example, diemolding and then can be adhered to each other. In this case, the frontsurface portion 41 and the frame portion 42 can be formed usingdifferent materials. A glass plate can be used, for example, for thefront surface portion 41 that is formed using a light-transmittingmaterial. In the example in FIG. 11B, the first functional layer 61 andthe second functional layer 62 have already been provided at the frontsurface portion 41 before being adhered to the frame portion 42. Sinceforming step of the previously-described optical functional film and/oradhering step of the polarizing plate can be performed for the frontsurface portion 41 which is yet a single object, it is possible toeasily form the first functional layer 61 or the like. Adhering of thefront surface portion 41 and the frame portion 42 can be performedbefore or after placing the display panel 3 (see FIG. 10) on the surface5 a of the support 5 after making only the frame portion 42 adhere tothe support 5. In this way, the display panel 3 can be placed easily.

Explanations of the method for manufacturing the display apparatusaccording to the present embodiment follows with reference to FIG. 10again. The support 5 comprising the surface 5 a on which the displaypanel 3 is to be placed is prepared. Arbitrary materials such as glass,a metal, and a synthetic resin can be used for the support 5. Thesupport 5 can be prepared by processing these materials with anarbitrary method, or an existing article can be prepared as the support5. As described previously, for example, a glass plate used for a casingof various devices, a window pane of a residence, or a display case, ora windshield of an automobile can be prepared as the support 5.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, a polarizing plate 51 (see FIG. 4) can beprovided on the surface 5 a of the support 5. Moreover, a functionallayer (not shown) having an infrared-ray reflective function or anultraviolet-ray absorbing function can be provided in addition to thepolarizing plate 51, or instead of the polarizing plate 51. Theseoptical functional films or polarizing plates that can be provided onthe surface 5 a of the support 5 can be provided with a method similarto a method previously described as the method of forming the firstfunctional layer 61 and the second functional layer 62.

The holding member 4 is adhered onto the surface 5 a of the preparedsupport 5 using the adhesive 8. The holding member 4 is adhered to thesupport 5 at a position such that the frame portion 42 surrounds anappropriate placement position for the display panel 3. As needed, aheat treatment process is performed for hardening the adhesive 8.Moreover, the wiring 9 formed with an FPC or the like is prepared. Forexample, the wiring 9 and the display panel 3 are connected bypressurizing and heating an anisotropic conductive film which issandwiched between the wiring 9 and the display panel 3. The adhesive 8can be coated on either or both of a bonding surface of the holdingmember 4 and the surface 5 a, or can be placed between the holdingmember 4 and the support 5 after being molded in a frame-shaped sheetform. For the adhesive 8, an arbitrary adhesive such as an acrylicadhesive, a silicone adhesive, or a urethane adhesive is used.

After the holding member 4 is adhered to the support 5, the inner wallof the frame portion 42 of the holding member 4 engages with the edge ofthe display panel 3. As shown in FIG. 10, the display 3 is moved fromthe outside of the frame portion 42 to a given placement position insidethe frame portion 42 through the notch 42 a formed at the holding member4. The inner wall of the frame portion 42 engages with the edge of thedisplay panel 3 inside the frame portion 42 and the display surface 3 aof the display panel 3 is covered by the front surface portion 41. Thedisplay panel 3 is moved to the inner portion of the frame portion 42while directing the opposite surface 3 b of the display surface 3 a tothe support 5. Then, the display panel 3 is placed at a proper placementposition at which a tip portion of the display panel 3 in an orientationof movement thereof abuts the inner wall, which faces the notch 42 a, ofthe frame portion 42. Adhering the holding member 4 to a proper positionof the support 5 makes it possible to position the display panel 3 atthe proper placement position by only moving the display panel 3, fromthe notch 42 a to the inside of the frame portion 42, until the tip ofthe display panel 3 abuts the inner wall of the frame portion 42. Theholding member 4 that can have a structure simpler than that of thedisplay panel 3 is considered to be easy to be removed from the support5 to be adhered to again without being subjected to breakage even whenthe holding member 4 is not adhered to a proper position on the surface5 a of the support 5. Moreover, even in the event the holding member 4is subjected to breakage, since the holding member 4 can be preparedmore cheaply compared to the display panel 3, it is possible to reduceloss cost.

The edge of the display panel 3 can be engaged with the inner wall ofthe holding member 4 by having the display panel 3 and the holdingmember 4 combined before the holding member 4 is adhered to the support5. Then, thereafter, the display panel 3 can be placed onto the surface5 a, together with the holding member 4 being adhered to the support 5.In this case as well, the fact that the possibility of repositioning ofthe holding member 4 is relatively high and that it is easy to suppressthe loss cost in the worst-case scenario is the same as in theprevious-described explanations.

While FIG. 10 shows an overview of the method for manufacturingaccording to the present embodiment with the display apparatus 1 shownin FIG. 1 as an example, the display apparatus 1 a exemplified in FIG. 7previously referred to can be manufactured as well with a method similarto that shown in FIG. 10. When the display apparatus 1 a exemplified inFIG. 7 is manufactured, the holding member 40 that is shown in FIGS. 8Aand 8B previously referred to is prepared. The holding member 40 furthercomprises a plate-shaped back surface portion 43 that is connected tothe front surface portion 41 via the frame portion 42 so as to be spacedfrom and to face the first surface 41 a of the front surface portion 41.The holding member 40 can be manufactured with a method similar to themethod of forming the holding member 4 as previously described such thatholding member 40 can comprise such a back surface portion 43. Theholding member 40 is adhered onto the surface 5 a of the support 5 usingthe adhesive 8, preferably onto the whole surface of the back surfaceportion 43, while the back surface portion 43 being directed to thesupport 5. Moreover, a discontinuous portion is provided at the frameportion 42 by appropriately manufacturing a die used in forming theholding member 40, for example, and, as a result, an aperture 42 b isprovided on a side surface of the holding member 40. In placing thedisplay panel 3 onto the surface 5 a of the support 5 as describedabove, the display panel 3 is moved from the outside of the frameportion 42 to a given placement position inside the frame portion 42 viathe aperture 42 b.

When the holding member 40 is prepared, the method for manufacturing thedisplay apparatus according to the present embodiment can furthercomprise providing the third functional layer 63 having a given functionrelated to propagation of light on a third surface 43 c of the backsurface portion 43 of the holding member 40 or on a surface (the fourthsurface 43 d) opposite the third surface 43 c. The third surface facesthe first surface 41 a of the front surface portion 41. As the thirdfunctional layer 63, in the same manner as the first functional layer 61or the second functional layer 62, a polarizing plate can be providedand an optical functional film having an arbitrary function such as aselective reflection function or a selective absorption function can beprovided. The third functional layer 63 can be formed with a methodwhich is the same as the method of providing the first functional layer61 or the second functional layer 62 as described above.

In preparing the holding member 40, the front surface portion 41 and theback surface portion 43 can be connected after being formed separatelyas shown in FIG. 11C. In that case, preferably, before the front surfaceportion 41 and the back surface portion 43 are connected, as needed, thefirst functional layer 61 is provided on the first surface 41 a of thefront surface portion 41 and the third functional layer 63 is providedon the third surface 43 c of the back surface portion 43. In otherwords, after performing either or both of providing the first functionallayer 61 on the first surface 41 a of the front surface portion 41 andproviding the third functional layer 63 on the third surface 43 c of theback surface portion 43, the front surface portion 41 and the backsurface portion 43 can be connected via the frame portion 42. Byseparately forming the front surface portion 41 and the back surfaceportion 43, either or both of the first functional layer 61 and thethird functional layer 63 can be provided easily before connecting bothof the front surface portion 41 and the back surface portion 43.

When the display panel 3 is moved to a given placement position as shownin FIG. 10 referred to previously, a lubricant F can be used to improvethe sliding property of the display panel 3 as shown in FIG. 12A. In theexample in FIG. 12A, the surface 5 a of the support 5 is covered withthe lubricant F that is provided by coating, dropping, or spraying. Thelubricant F can be used to smoothly move the display panel 3 toward theplacement position. While a water-soluble solution such as ethanol, orsilicone oil is exemplified as the lubricant F, the lubricant F is notconstrued to be limited thereto. If either or both of the first barrierlayer 37 and the second barrier layer 38 that are described previously(see FIG. 9) is formed, penetration of the lubricant F into the displaypanel 3 can be prevented, making it possible to use a wide variety oflubricants F.

When the lubricant F is used, the lubricant F can be extruded from a gapbetween the display panel 3 and the support 5 by pressing the displaypanel 3 toward the support 5 as shown in FIG. 12B after moving thedisplay panel 3 to a given placement position. In the example in FIG.12B, the display panel 3 is pressed toward the support 5 by a pressingmember 101, together with the front surface portion 41, from the secondsurface 41 b of the front surface portion 41 of the holding member 4.When the holding member 4 is formed using an elastic material such as atransparent silicone rubber as described above, a proper load can beapplied to the display panel 3 without imparting excessive stress to theholding member 4 in such a pressing operation.

The pressing member 101 is moved from a distal end of the display panel3 to a proximal end of the display panel 3 from the notch 42 a or theaperture 42 b (see FIG. 8B) of the holding member 4. In other words, thedisplay panel 3 is pressed toward the support 5 while changing thepressing position from the distal end to the proximal end of the displaypanel 3 from the notch 42 a or the aperture 42 b (see FIG. 8B) of theholding member 4. The display panel 3 can be pressed in this way toefficiently extrude the lubricant F from the gap between the displaypanel 3 and the support 5. Moreover, the display panel 3 can be adheredto the support 5 without newly causing an entrapment of air bubble. Thepressing member 101 is not construed to be particularly limited as longas it can apply load to the display panel 3. A rollable member such as aroller is preferable as the pressing member 101 from a point of view ofreducing stress imparted to the holding member 4.

When the display panel 3 is removed from the support 5 as needed, a gascan be injected from the notch 42 a of the holding member 4 or theaperture 42 b (see FIG. 8B) of the holding member 40 to thereby easilyseparate the display panel 3 and the surface 5 a of the support 5.Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12B, a ventilation hole 42 c for injectingsuch a gas can be provided at the frame portion 42 of the holding member4. Such a ventilation hole is also beneficial in that it can be adischarge hole for gas within the holding member 4 when the displaypanel 3 is moved to inside the frame portion 42.

FIG. 13 shows another example of the method for manufacturing of thedisplay apparatus according to the present embodiment with the displayapparatus 1 as an example which is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B previouslyreferred to. The holding member 4 used for the display apparatus 1 shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B does not comprise a discontinuous portion at theframe portion 42, and, therefore, neither a notch nor an aperture isformed on the side surface of the holding member 4. Thus, in the methodshown in FIG. 13, a manner of engaging of the display panel 3 with theholding member 4 and placing of display panel 3 onto the surface 5 a ofthe support 5 differs from that in the example shown in FIG. 10.

In other words, the display panel 3, the holding member 4, and thesupport 5 are prepared with the same method as the method described withreference to FIG. 10, and, thereafter, the display panel 3 is combinedwith the holding member 4 from a state in which the display surface 3 afaces the first surface 41 a (see FIG. 5B) of the front surface portion41 of holding member 4. The edge of the display panel 3 is inserted intothe groove 4 a (see FIG. 5B) at the inner wall of the frame portion 42,and the edge of the display panel 3 engages with the inner wall of theframe portion 42. Moreover, the display surface 3 a of the display panel3 is covered by the front surface portion 41 of the holding member 4.When the holding member 4 is formed with a material having elasticity orflexibility, such as a silicone rubber as described previously, theholding member 4, as shown in FIG. 14, can be deformed to easily insertthe edge of the display panel 3 into the groove 4 a. Moreover, as shownin FIG. 13, the wiring 9 is drawn to the outside of the holding member 4via the aperture 4 b of the front surface portion 41 of the holdingmember 4.

The holding member 4 is adhered onto the surface 5 a of the support 5with the adhesive 8 while directing the first surface 41 a of the frontsurface portion 41 to the support 5 in a state such that the holdingmember 4 is combined with the display panel 3. Moreover, along withadhering thereof, the display panel 3 is placed on the surface 5 a ofthe support 5 while directing an opposite surface of the display surface3 a to the support 5. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the display panel3 is placed on the surface 5 a of the support via the weak adhesivelayer 7. The weak adhesive layer 7 is formed, for example, bypositioning a weak adhesive sheet formed using an adhesive on thesurface 5 a of the support 5 or on a surface of the display panel 3 thatis opposite the display surface 3 a. In the example shown in FIG. 13 aswell, an optical functional film comprising the polarizing plate 51 or aselective reflection function can be formed on the surface 5 a of thesupport 5 with a previously-described method before the display panel 3is placed on the surface 5 a of the support 5.

SUMMARY

(1) A display apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention comprises: a display panel to control emission or transmissionof light to display an image; a support comprising a surface on whichthe display panel is placed; and a holding member that is adhered ontothe surface of the support and engages with an edge of the display panelto hold the display panel at a given position of the surface, whereinthe display panel has an opposite surface of a display surface of thedisplay panel, the opposite surface being directed to the support; theholding member comprises a front surface portion formed using alight-transmitting material to cover the display surface, the frontsurface portion being plate shaped, and a frame portion comprising arod-shaped member provided in such a manner as to be protruded from afirst surface of the front surface portion and to be along an edge ofthe front surface portion, the first surface being directed to thedisplay surface; and the front surface portion comprises a firstfunctional layer on the first surface or on a second surface oppositethe first surface, the first functional layer having a given functionrelated to propagation of light.

According to the configuration of (1), even when a defect occurs in someof constituting elements of one display apparatus, it is possible toeasily reuse other constituting elements in the one display apparatus,or another display apparatus.

(2) In the display apparatus of (1), the first functional layer cancomprise an antireflection layer configured to suppress reflection oflight, or a polarizing plate. In this way, the antireflection layer orthe polarizing plate can be reused even when a defect occurs in thedisplay panel.

(3) In the display apparatus of (1) or (2), the holding member cancomprise the first functional layer on the first surface of the frontsurface portion and a second functional layer on the second surface, thesecond functional layer having a given function related to propagationof light, wherein the given function of the second functional layer isdifferent from a function that the first functional layer has. In thisway, two functional layers having mutually different functions relatedto propagation of light can be reused even when a defect occurs in thedisplay panel.

(4) In the display apparatus of (3), the first functional layer cancomprise a polarizing plate and the second functional layer can comprisean antireflection layer configured to suppress reflection of light. Thismakes it possible to bring the polarizing plate in contact with thedisplay panel and to obtain an appropriate polarizing effect andeffectively prevent reflection of external light.

(5) In the display apparatus of any one of (1) to (4), the holdingmember further can comprise a back surface portion connected to thefront surface portion via the frame portion so as to be spaced from andface the first surface of the front surface portion, the back surfaceportion being plate shaped and being adhered onto the surface, and thedisplay panel can be positioned between the front surface portion andthe back surface portion. This makes it easy to provide a specificfunctional layer between the display panel and the support.

(6) In the display apparatus of (5), the back surface portion cancomprise a third functional layer having a given function related topropagation of light on a third surface facing the first surface of thefront surface portion or on a surface opposite the third surface. Inthis way, an optical functional film which can be provided on a surfaceopposite the display surface of a conventional display panel can bereused when a defect occurs in the display panel.

(7) In the display apparatus of (6), the back surface portion cancomprise a polarizing plate as the third functional layer on the thirdsurface. In this way, the polarizing plate can be provided while thepolarizing plate is in contact with the display panel and the polarizingplate can be reused when a defect occurs in the display panel.

(8) In the display apparatus of any one of (1) to (5), a polarizingplate can be provided on the surface of the support. In this way, apolarizing plate that can be provided on a surface opposite the displaysurface in a conventional display panel can be reused when a defectoccurs in the display panel.

(9) In the display apparatus of any one of (1) to (8), the frame portioncan comprise a discontinuous portion at a part of the edge of the frontsurface portion and a notch or an aperture through which the displaypanel can be inserted can be formed on a side surface of the holdingmember formed of the frame portion. In this way, the display panel caneasily be removed from the support as needed.

(10) In the display apparatus of (1) to (9), the display panel cancomprise a substrate and a plurality of display elements formed on thesubstrate, and the display panel further comprises a barrier layerformed using a moisture impermeable material at either one of or both ofbetween the display elements and the substrate and on the displayelements. In this way, the display panel can be protected from moisture.Moreover, lifting of the display panel from the support can besuppressed.

(11) In the display apparatus of (10), a water vapor transmission rateof the barrier layer can be 1×10⁻⁴ g/m²/day or less. In this way,penetration of moisture into the display panel can be prevented moresteadily.

(12) A method for manufacturing a display apparatus according to afurther embodiment comprises: forming a display panel by forming aplurality of display elements on a substrate; preparing a supportcomprising a surface on which the display panel is to be placed;preparing a holding member comprising a front surface portion, the frontsurface portion being plate shaped, and a frame portion comprising arod-shaped member provided in such a manner as to be protruded from afirst surface of the front surface portion and to be along an edge ofthe front surface portion, the first surface being a surface other thana side surface of the front surface portion; adhering the holding memberonto the surface of the support while directing the first surface to thesupport; engaging an inner wall of the frame portion with an edge of thedisplay panel such that a display surface of the display panel iscovered by the front surface portion; and placing the display panel onthe surface of the support while directing an opposite surface of thedisplay surface to the support, wherein in preparing the holding member,the front surface portion is formed using a light-transmitting material,and a first functional layer having a given function related topropagation of light is provided on the first surface or a secondsurface of the front surface portion, the second surface being oppositethe first surface.

According to the configuration of (12), it is possible to easilymanufacture a display apparatus in which reuse of constituting elementsis easy and which comprises a display panel at a proper position.

(13) The method for manufacturing the display apparatus of (12) canfurther comprise: providing the first functional layer on the firstsurface of the front surface portion of the holding member; andproviding a second functional layer on the second surface, the secondfunctional layer having a given function related to propagation oflight, wherein the given function of the second functional layer isdifferent from a function that the first functional layer has. In thisway, a display apparatus can be manufactured in which two functionallayers having mutually different functions related to propagation oflight can be reused even when a defect occurs in the display panel.

(14) In the method for manufacturing the display apparatus of (12) or(13), the holding member can further comprise a back surface portionconnected to the front surface portion via the frame portion so as to bespaced from and to face the first surface of the front surface portion,the back surface portion being plate shaped; the method can furthercomprise, in preparing the holding member, providing a third functionallayer having a given function related to propagation of light on a thirdsurface of the back surface portion or on a surface opposite the thirdsurface, the third surface facing the first surface of the front surfaceportion; and the holding member is adhered onto the surface of thesupport while directing the back surface portion to the support. In thisway, a display apparatus can be manufactured in which an opticalfunctional film that can be provided on an opposite surface of thedisplay surface in a conventional display panel can be reused when adefect occurs in the display panel.

(15) The method for manufacturing the display apparatus of (14) canfurther comprise, in preparing the holding member: separately formingthe front surface portion and the back surface portion; performingeither or both of providing the first functional layer on the firstsurface of the front surface portion; and providing a third functionallayer on the third surface of the back surface portion; and connectingthe front surface portion and the back surface portion via the frameportion. In this way, the first functional layer and/or the thirdfunctional layer can be provided easily.

(16) The method for manufacturing the display apparatus of (12) or (13)can further comprise providing a polarizing plate on the surface of thesupport. In this way, a display apparatus can be manufactured in whichthe polarizing plate that can be provided on an opposite surface of thedisplay surface in a conventional display panel can be reused when adefect occurs in the display panel.

(17) The method for manufacturing a display apparatus of any one of (12)to (16) can further comprise, in forming the display panel, forming abarrier layer using a moisture impermeable material at either one of orboth of between the substrate and the display elements and on thedisplay elements. In this way, a display apparatus can be manufacturedin which the display panel is protected from moisture and lifting of thedisplay panel from the support is reduced.

(18) The method for manufacturing a display apparatus of any one of (12)to (17) can further comprise: in preparing the holding member, providinga discontinuous portion to provide an aperture or a notch on a sidesurface of the holding member; and moving the display panel from outsidethe frame portion to a given placement position inside the frame portionvia the aperture or the notch. In this way, the display panel can easilybe placed at the given placement position.

(19) The method for manufacturing a display apparatus of (18) canfurther comprise: in forming the display panel, forming a barrier layerusing a moisture impermeable material both between the substrate and thedisplay elements and on the display elements; improving the slidingproperty of the display panel by using a lubricant when the displaypanel is moved to the given placement position; and extruding thelubricant from a gap between the display panel and the support bypressing the display panel toward the support while changing a pressingposition from a distal end to a proximal end of the display panel fromthe aperture or the notch after the display panel is moved to the givenplacement position. In this way, the display panel can be moved smoothlytoward the placement position and the display panel can be tightlyadhered to the surface of the support.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERAL

-   1, 1 a display apparatus-   3 display panel-   3 a display surface-   3 b opposite surface-   3 c substrate-   30 display element-   37 first barrier film-   4, 40 holding member-   41 front surface portion-   41 a first surface-   41 b second surface-   42 frame portion-   42 a notch-   42 b aperture-   43 back surface portion-   43 c third surface-   43 d opposite surface (fourth surface)-   5 support-   5 a surface-   51 polarizing plate-   61 first functional layer-   62 second functional layer-   63 third functional layer-   64 fourth functional layer-   101 pressing member-   F lubricant

The invention claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a displaypanel to control emission or transmission of light to display an image;a support comprising a surface on which the display panel is placed; anda holding member that is adhered onto the surface of the support andengages with an edge of the display panel to hold the display panel at agiven position of the surface, wherein the display panel has an oppositesurface of a display surface of the display panel, the opposite surfacebeing directed to the support; the holding member comprises a frontsurface portion formed using a light-transmitting material andcomprising a part to cover an image displayed on the display panel, thefront surface portion being plate shaped, a frame portion comprising arod-shaped member provided in such a manner as to be protruded from afirst surface of the front surface portion and to be along an edge ofthe front surface portion, the first surface being directed to thedisplay surface, and a back surface portion being plate shaped and beingconnected to the front surface portion via the frame portion so as to bespaced from and face the first surface of the front surface portion; thefront surface portion and the frame portion are integrally formed; theback surface portion is adhered onto the surface of the support; thedisplay panel is positioned between the front surface portion and theback surface portion; and the front surface portion comprises a firstfunctional layer on the first surface or on a second surface oppositethe first surface, wherein the first functional layer has a givenfunction related to propagation of light, and is formed on the firstsurface or the second surface.
 2. The display apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the first functional layer has an infrared-rayreflective function or an ultraviolet-ray absorbing function.
 3. Thedisplay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front surfaceportion comprises the first functional layer on the first surface and asecond functional layer on the second surface, the second functionallayer having a given function related to propagation of light, whereinthe given function of the second functional layer is different from afunction that the first functional layer has.
 4. The display apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the second functional layer has aninfrared-ray reflective function or an ultraviolet-ray absorbingfunction.
 5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theback surface portion comprises a third functional layer having a givenfunction related to propagation of light on a third surface facing thefirst surface of the front surface portion or on a surface opposite thethird surface.
 6. The display apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe third functional layer has an antireflective function, aninfrared-ray reflective function, or an ultraviolet-ray absorbingfunction.
 7. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein afunctional layer having an infrared-ray reflective function or anultraviolet-ray absorbing function is provided on the surface of thesupport.
 8. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theframe portion comprises a discontinuous portion at a part of the edge ofthe front surface portion and a notch or an aperture through which thedisplay panel can be inserted is formed on a side surface of the holdingmember formed of the frame portion.
 9. The display apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein at the edge of the display panel, the display panelabuts the holding member with a side surface, with the display surface,and with the opposite surface of the display surface.
 10. The displayapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wiring beingconnected to the display panel, wherein the holding member comprises anaperture through which the wiring is passed at the front surfaceportion.
 11. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thefront surface portion of the holding member is formed using atransparent silicone rubber.
 12. A method for manufacturing a displayapparatus, the method comprising: forming a display panel by forming aplurality of display elements on a substrate; preparing a supportcomprising a surface on which the display panel is to be placed;preparing a holding member comprising a front surface portion beingplate shaped, a frame portion, and a back surface portion being plateshaped and being connected to the front surface portion via the frameportion so as to be spaced from and face a first surface of the frontsurface portion, wherein the frame portion comprises a rod-shaped memberprovided in such a manner as to be protruded from the first surface ofthe front surface portion and to be along an edge of the front surfaceportion, the first surface being a surface other than a side surface ofthe front surface portion; adhering the holding member onto the surfaceof the support; engaging an inner wall of the frame portion with an edgeof the display panel such that a display surface of the display panel iscovered by the front surface portion; and placing the display panel onthe surface of the support while directing an opposite surface of thedisplay surface to the support, wherein in preparing the holding member,the front surface portion is integrally formed with the frame portionusing a light-transmitting material, the front surface portioncomprising a part to cover an image displayed on the display panel, afirst functional layer having a given function related to propagation oflight is formed directly on the first surface or a second surface of thefront surface portion, the second surface being opposite the firstsurface, and a third functional layer having a given function related topropagation of light is provided on a third surface of the back surfaceportion facing the first surface of the front surface portion or on asurface of the back surface portion opposite the third surface; inadhering the holding member onto the surface of the support, the holdingmember is adhered while directing the back surface portion to thesupport.
 13. The method for manufacturing the display apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein in preparing the holding member, thefirst functional layer is formed directly on the first surface of thefront surface portion; and preparing the holding member furthercomprises providing a second functional layer on the second surface, thesecond functional layer having a given function related to propagationof light, wherein the given function of the second functional layer isdifferent from a function that the first functional layer has.
 14. Themethod for manufacturing the display apparatus according to claim 12,further comprising providing a function layer having an infrared-rayreflective function or an ultraviolet-ray absorbing function on thesurface of the support.
 15. The method for manufacturing the displayapparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: in preparing theholding member, providing a discontinuous portion to provide an apertureor a notch on a side surface of the holding member; and moving thedisplay panel from outside the frame portion to a given placementposition inside the frame portion via the aperture or the notch.
 16. Themethod for manufacturing the display apparatus according to claim 15,further comprising: connecting a wiring to the display panel; anddrawing the wiring to an outside of the holding member via an apertureof the front surface portion.